|
UHLICH VOICES
Emancipation: Inside the Hearts of DCFS
(Uhlich Children's Advantage Network)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner
Victor Spencer, Jason Daniels, Fred Long and Erick Johnson are four talented
young rappers and rhymers from Chicago's Uhlich Children's Advantage Network, a
not-for-profit agency serving youth in the care of the Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services, or DCFS. UCAN was formed in 1869 as a response to
children orphaned by the Civil War, and it has grown to provide an array of
social and educational services to orphans and other needy youth. The
inspirational rap of "Speaking From the Heart" and "The Parents" tell the
stories of abandoned and neglected youth from the youth's point of view, and
this is rap that will shatter stereotypes that many adults have of urban African
American teenagers. The Uhlich Voices offer hope and prayers, particularly when
Fred sings of youth who have been in foster care in "Emancipation": "When I was
young it was hard to see the picture/but now I'm focused in life like Antwone
Fisher." In that same cut, Vic focuses on his future by recognizing that "My
fam never raised me to be a normal child/I don't care no more 'cause I'm livin'
normal now/In school grinding to make it on the Dean's List." If you buy one
rap record in 2004, listen to Victor, Jason, Fred and Erick's compelling
stories, set to decidedly urban rap and hip hop beats. Jeff Thompson and Tim
Whalen of the Chicago Producer's Circle, a network of local recording industry
professionals, helped out with clear, professional production on Emancipation's
dozen cuts, and jazz trumpeter Orbert Davis (Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis)
fills out songs like "Keep Fighting" nicely. Chicago Magazine named Orbert "Y2K
Best Trumpeter in Chicago" and "Chicagoan of the Year 2002," and I hope that
more people like Jeff, Tim and Orbert contribute their talents to bring these
heartwrenching stories to a wider audience.
Track List:
The Parents * Life * Prayer * My People * Keep Fighting (featuring Orbert Davis
and Warfield Perkins) * Fineprint * Speaking from the Heart * Road to Success *
One in the Same (featuring Glenn Sevier) * Emancipation * I Love You *
Streetwise
To get this CD, please make a $20 donation on the UCAN DONATE page and be sure to note "For Uhlich Voices CD" in the comments section. Secure your copy today as supplies are limited!
© 2004 - Eric Steiner
|
